Viverral vs Jaguarundi Curl - Breed Comparison | MyCatBreeds

This is a rare cat breed and therefore not much information on it is available. It does seem that in 2002, a 5th generation Viverral was developed and this established the breed. The cat is described as a fishing cat hybrid. A breeding program was started but it is thought that the cat became extinct.

Found mostly in Central and South America, the Jaguarundi Curl has been bred to look like a wild cat. - the Jaguarundi.

It was in the 1940s that the cat was also found in Florida. It is a result of a crossing between the Hyland Lynx with Munchkins and possibly other short-legged domestic cats.

The Munchkin cat is a medium-sized cat and it also has very short legs – the result of a genetic mutation.

The Viverral is muscular and substantial. He has a smallish head and smallish ears with a thick tail. The coat is spotted. The base color of the coat and the spots should be different. The light cream underbelly is also spotted. Large, muscular, and solid, the cat’s eyes are big and round in the smallish heald. The coat is short and plush with a spotted pattern of black, brown or tan spots. Temperament: The Viverral cat has been designed to produce friendly kittens that are curious and confident. They turn out strong and confident and are suitable as house cats. New cat owners might have success with them and they can even be friendly with children in the home, but the truth remains, they are unpredictable. Beautiful and something unique, it is not likely though that this cat breed would have wanted to be cuddled and petted by his human owners.

This is a medium-sized, strong, muscular wild cat with short legs, a large head and small ears that are curled and set wide apart.

The eyes are wide-set and are large and expressive. The eyes can be gold, green or even blue.

The cat can weigh anything between 6 and 10kg. They can take up to years to reach their weight. The tail of the cat is long and thick, the body long and muscular.

The short coat is a ticked or a spotted pattern and can come in various colors. In most cats, the coats are tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi. In ideal specimens, coats will be tawny or solid like the Jaguarundi.

Temperament:

Maybe it’s the cat’s wild side but the Jaguarundi Curl cat is a shy, elusive and somewhat solitary cat. In the wild these cats only socialize to mate.

It is, however, a very vocal cat. The cat is also a good climber and swimmer and you will need to invest in climbing equipment.

If your Jaguarundi Curl has more Munchkin in him, you may find him far more sociable and actually seeking out the company of his human family.

Hybrid cats such as the Viverral can look quite a bit like a wild cat and this is what first appeals to cat lovers. They want an exotic cat to brag about. However, these cats can come up with a whole lot of behavioral problems so that you wish you had never got one. One should just go along to some of the many cat shelters there are to discover how many hybrid cats land up there. They turned out to be a disappointment – their behavior wouldn’t conform to what their human family expected of them. This is the story of hybrid cats. Humans want some exotic looking animal to please their greedy natures and then when the cats don’t behave the way they should, they get rid of them. Rather, it is humans that need to change their behavior and leave wild animals alone. The Viverral can have their good side and be splendid pets but they aren’t consistent. They have a streak of unpredictability, and they also have issues with the use of a litter box. They mark their territory too and can show some aggression. Any animal with a wild side isn’t going to make the best pet, but still, some cat lovers have managed to bring out their best side.

The wild Jaguarundi is smallish cat that is a little bit larger than a house cat.

Some people like keeping these mixed-breed, hybrid cats, and they can make good pets, but they do tend to be reclusive. You have to remember that with these cats, part of their genetic makeup is a wild cat, and this just means that you can’t really be sure how they will turn out.

Think twice before you buy a cute little Jaguarunndi Curl kitten. Cat Rescue shelters are seeing a massive escalation in the number of hybrid cats who are just abandoned by their owners.

They wanted a ‘wild-type’ cat and ended up with behavior from the cat that they couldn’t handle. How cruel is that. Its the human's fault, not the cat.

The development of hybrid cats began as a scientific effort in the 1970s. Hybrid pets can be aggressive and also solitary. Hybrid cats are an unnatural breeding. They are cat species that weren’t meant to mate in the first place. Breeders tell stories of premature births and also aborted pregnancies. Some of the more common illnesses among hybrid cats include digestive issues. Also, vaccinations used to protect our domestic cats from disease have not been approved for use in hybrid animals. A hybrid cat has a wild side to him. These cats were bred to look like a wild cat, and although they are healthy, they can also have some health issues. Ensuring the cat has a proper diet will contribute more to better health. As mentioned, some of these cats can battle with the likes of chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel disease and also battle with intestinal parasite issues.

Hybrid cats do have some health issues because of their breeding. Cat owners who choose these cat breeds need to know that they have special needs.

You should speak to your vet about the health of your cat. Domestic cats and wild cats have a different number of chromosomes. These cats wouldn’t normally mate so that when they are crossed during breeding, an abnormal genetic makeup is a result.

Reproductive problems in cats like the Jaguarundi Curl become a common occurrence and stillbirths can be the norm. Often you’ll find that some of the cats are infertile, whether male or female.

You've also got to be aware of vaccines as sometimes they don't work with these hybrid cats. Many times a cat like this is exposed to rabies and you'll find that the vaccine was ineffective.

These are different cats to your regular domestic cat, and they will require different care. One of the things you need to do for a cat like this is provide it with an outdoor enclosure. Because of their wild side, they are longing to be outdoors and you may find it difficult integrating such a cat into your home. The Viverral needs plenty of exercise but you can’t just let them roam freely outdoors. Yes, you can train them to walk with a leash but you need to allow him outside in the enclosure. You can include a shallow paddling pool for him too. These are active, intelligent cats and you will need to invest in some interactive toys for him to keep him amused. You will need to supply this cat with a scratching post and a climbing tree. This is because as a cat, he is a natural climber and scratcher and he will need these in his life. Ensure your feline pet has a nice warm, dry place to sleep.

Be prepared for the new arrival of your cat. Have food and water bowls, warm bedding, toys, litter box, and food all available and waiting.

Your Jaguarundi Curl doesn’t require a specialized diet. You can feed him much the same as your other domestic cats.

The food needs to be high-quality and can be wet or dry food, so long as it makes sure that meat is the top ingredient. Your cat is a carnivore and will require meaty meals to remain healthy. Dietary supplements or vitamins can only do your Jaguarundi Curl good.

You can brush the coat once each week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny.

You want to provide your cat with a litter box and keep it clean too. These hybrid cats don’t easily learn to use the litter box as they should, and they may do their business around your home as opposed to using the litter box.

Get your pet a collar and tag to identify your cat in case he gets away.